Zukeran Tribune Parent Newsletter

Volume 2, Issue 19

January 10, 2026

Zukeran Tribune Parent Newsletter

From the Principal's Desk

Dear Zukeran Elementary Families,

Thank you for a wonderful week at Zukeran Elementary! We are grateful for your ongoing support and partnership as we work together to help our students grow and thrive.

Looking ahead, please remember that this upcoming week is a short one—there is no school for students on Friday as teachers will be finalizing report cards for the end of Quarter 2. On Monday, January 12th, we will have make-up picture sessions for students who missed the original picture day. Please note, these are just make-up sessions, and not all students will be photographed. Click here to schedule a make-up session for your child.

We encourage you to ask your children what they are learning about fractions and parts of a whole in their classes; it’s always exciting to hear students explain their thinking and make connections in math!

We’re also looking forward to STEM Day on the 15th, when students will have the opportunity to explore science, technology, engineering, and math through hands-on activities and learning alongside our military partners. It promises to be an inspiring day of discovery and collaboration.

Thank you again for being such an important part of our school community. We wish you a restful long weekend ahead!

With appreciation,
Elise Rosch, Principal
Kerwin Jones, Assistant Principal

The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) or the U.S. Department of Defense of the linked websites, or the information, products, or services contained therein. DoDEA does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. All links are provided consistent with the mission of DoDEA.

Principal's Coffee and Connect

School Coffee and Connect with the Principals

Every Wednesday from 9:00 to 10:00 at Zukeran Elementary School

Principal's Coffee and Connect

Zukeran's Principal's Coffee and Connect is a weekly open forum with our school Principal where various topics are introduced, ideas are shared, and questions are answered. These informative meetings take place inside the school, face-to-face, and parents may join virtually as well via the meeting link.

Upcoming Important Dates

Date	Event
12 January	Make-Up Photo Sessions
14 January	SAC Meeting @ 2:10
15 January	Zukeran STEM Day 7:30am-1:30pm \| End of Quarter 2 \| End of Semester 1
16 January	Teacher Work Day - No School for Students
19 January	Martin Luther King Day: Federal Holiday - No School

AAFES Lunch Information

Zukeran School Meals Program

Free and Reduced Meals

DoDEA families can apply for free or reduced-price meal benefits during the government shutdown.
The assistance is intended for the duration of the shutdown. Per USDA requirements, free or reduced-price meal eligibility is based on income and family size.

Parents can visit the linqconnect.com/public/meal-application/newsubmit and search for “AAFES DoDEA” to submit an application online.

New After-School Club!

We are excited to announce that Zukeran Elementary Yearbook Club will begin in the third quarter! The Yearbook Club is looking for enthusiastic students who would like to help edit pages, organize content, and contribute creative ideas for our school yearbook. If your child is interested, please contact Angela Hess in the K-Neighborhood!

Year Book Club Permission Slip

All after-school clubs have begun meeting. Year-long clubs will run until the week of May 22nd, 2026. Multi-session clubs will run with start and end dates indicated on our School Activities page. More details, including club sponsor contact info, can be found there as well. If you're new to Zukeran and interested in signing your child up, please reach out to the club sponsor listed or Mr. Kerwin Jones.

Nurse's Corner

When to Keep Your Child Home

From the Counseling Team

Is your child having a rough go of it at school? Is something getting in the way of their academic success? We want to help!

Counselors

Diane.Jackson@dodea.edu (Grades 3-5)

Justin.Armstrong@dodea.edu (Grades Pre-K-2)

Kenneth.Gamon@dodea.edu (School Psychologist)

MFLCs (Military Family Life Counselors)

Ms. Cordia Smith - 080-6485-7715 or 571-621-3594 (Lower Grades)
Ms. Tiffanee Gale - 080-6485-7776 or 571-621-4418 (Upper Grades)

📰 More News from 3–5 Counseling

This school year is off to a strong start with exciting initiatives and student engagement!

🐣 Newcomers’ Groups & Toucan Trailblazers

We welcomed new students through our Newcomers’ Groups and introduced the Toucan Trailblazers—our student ambassadors from grades K–3. These Trailblazers help new students feel at home by:

• Sitting with them at lunch

• Playing together at recess

• Showing them around the studio and neighborhood routines

• Helping them make new friends

🌏 Life on Okinawa & Friendship Building

Students in grades 1–5 met with the Military Family Life Counselor and School Counselors to learn about:

• Life on Okinawa

• Zukeran Elementary routines.

• Strategies for making and maintaining friendships

🎤 Meeter-Greeters & Morning Broadcasts

Our 4th and 5th grade Meeter-Greeters continue to welcome new students by escorting them to class and introducing them to peers. They also lead our daily morning broadcast, which covers:

• Zones of Regulation

• Problem-solving strategies

• Coping techniques for everyday challenges

🚫 Bullying Prevention Lessons

We’ve launched our bullying prevention curriculum for October and November. Students are doing an excellent job learning:

• What bullying is—and isn’t

• How to respond and refuse bullying confidently

💌 Friendship Groups

We’ve received an overwhelming number of permission slips for our upcoming Friendship Groups, and we’re thrilled to begin working with students soon! These groups focus on:

• Building positive peer relationships

• Conflict resolution and communication skills

From the Special Ed Team

Child Find Screening Request

School Advisory Committee Information

Our SY 25-26 SAC elections have concluded. Positions filled are:

1) SAC Chairperson: Morgan Bates

2) SAC Vice Chairperson: William Rallya

3) SAC Secretary: Mykiah Willis

4) Teacher Member: Carina Castro

5) Teacher Member: Jessie Saunders

6) Teacher Member: Natalie Miles

School Advisory Committee meeting minutes may be found on our Get Involved / Partnership page. Keep an eye on our social media pages for scheduled meetings and minutes postings.

From the PTO

PTO T-Shirt Order Form

PTO Membership Form

THIS IS A NON-FEDERAL ENTITY. IT IS NOT A PART OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OR ANY OF ITS COMPONENTS AND IT HAS NO GOVERNMENTAL STATUS. The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) or the U.S. Department of Defense of the linked websites, or the information, products, or services contained therein. DoDEA does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. All links are provided consistent with the mission of DoDEA.